Brazil police in protest ahead of 2016 summer Olympics

The Supreme Court in Brazil has ruled that strikes by police are unconstitutional.

In a seven to three ruling, the court banned federal and civil police officers as well as firefighters from going on strike.

Members of the military police were already banned from stopping work.

A stoppage in eastern Espirito Santo state caused chaos in February, with schools closing and public transport suspended as the murder rate increased.

Police strikes are not uncommon in Brazil and have in the past created problems in major cities such as Rio and Sao Paulo as well as the state of Bahia.

Shortly after the ruling, the union representing federal police officers said its members had voted for nationwide industrial action over a social welfare reform bill